After that, he should accumulate money on his own score, and--all things being made straight at home--return and settle down, a rich man for life.

And she--his mother--might rely on his keeping his word.

At present he was at Melbourne; to which place he and his mates had come to bring their acquired gold, and to take a bit of a spree after their recent hard work.
He was very jolly, and after a week's holiday they should go back again.
And he hoped his father had overlooked the past; and he remained ever her affectionate son, William Gum.
The effect of this letter upon Mrs.Gum was as though a dense cloud had suddenly lifted from the world, and given place to a flood of sunshine.
We estimate things by comparison.

Mrs.Gum was by nature disposed to look on the dark side of things, and she had for the whole year past been indulging the most dread pictures of Willy and his fate that any woman's mind ever conceived.

To hear that he was in life, and well, and making money rapidly, was the sweetest news, the greatest relief she could ever experience in this world.
Clerk Gum--relieved also, no doubt--received the tidings in a more sober spirit; almost as if he did not dare to believe in them.